Uganda retreat for South Sudan leaders strategic for peace implementation –advocate

JUBA – A South Sudanese activists has said that the planned meeting between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny being organized by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni is strategic for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said the South Sudan leaders should take the meeting – which is expected to happen this month – serious to expedite the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement which has stalled over differences and lack of resources.

“Community Empowerment for Progress Organization viewed this retreat as strategic and timely for securing peaceful political transitioning from violence to peace in South Sudan. This retreat for the South Sudan leaders in Uganda is a determiner for the future of the country in accordance with the implementation of R-ARCSS,” the CEPO’s Executive Director Edmund Yakani said in the statement.

He said “the leaders of South Sudan should take the proposed Uganda retreat serious and make concrete decisions for making peace prevail peace and stability realize in South Sudan. It is the primary responsibility of South Sudan leaders to ensure that the country is peaceful and stable for its citizens. The Uganda retreat offers South Sudan leaders great opportunity for making strategic decisions for delivering the country out of violence to peace.”

The outspoken activist further said “key decisions that are expected from Uganda retreat are centered on the following concerns; what is the pathway for handling the transitional security arrangements; credible and conducive process for constitutional making, conduct of elections, transitional justice and deliverance of proposed reforms including available of restricted civic space across the country.”

“CEPO is urging the leadership of Uganda to influence the leaders of South Sudan to renewal their pledge for peaceful political transitioning from violence to political stability including making remarkable decisions on the exit strategy from 22nd February, 2023.”